Identification device for bottle

Abstract

In one embodiment, an identification device for a baby or infant bottle comprises an annular collar sized to be placed around the neck portion of the bottle and an elongated, flexible strap secured to and extending from the collar. The strap is of sufficient length to extend over the nipple of the cap and allow the free end portion of the strap to be connected to the collar. The child's name can be written directly on the strap, or alternatively, the child's name can be written on a label that can be applied to the strap.

1 . An identification device for an infant bottle having a neck portion and a removable cap supporting a nipple, comprising: 
 an annular collar sized to be placed around the neck portion of the bottle; and    an elongated, flexible strap having first and second end portions, the first end portion being secured to the collar, the second end portion being configured to be removably connected to the collar, the strap being of sufficient length to extend over the nipple and allow the second end portion to be connected to the collar at a location generally opposite the location at which the first end portion is secured to the collar, and the strap having identification indicia identifying the bottle as belonging to a child.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a projection extending from the collar, the second end portion being formed with at least one aperture sized to receive the projection such that when the strap is extended over the nipple, the second end portion can be held in place by inserting the projection through the aperture.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the projection has an enlarged end portion that is larger than the aperture.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the projection end portion is generally spherical.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aperture comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart apertures formed in the second end portion of the strap.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the strap is formed with a recessed area between the first and second end portions adapted to receive a label having the identification indicia.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the bottle has a removable cap that covers the nipple when placed on the bottle, and the strap is of sufficient length to extend over the cap covering the nipple and allow the second end portion to be connected to the collar at a location generally opposite the location at which the first end portion is secured to the collar.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the collar and the strap comprise a one-piece construction.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the collar and the strap and integrally molded.  
   
   
       10 . A method of using an identification device for an infant's bottle, the identification device comprising an annular collar and an elongated strap extending from the collar, the method comprising: 
 placing liquid in the bottle;    placing the collar of the identification device around the neck of the bottle;    installing a cap on the neck so as to retain the collar thereon; and    extending the strap over the cap and connecting a free end of the strap to the collar, the strap having identification indicia identifying the bottle as belonging to a child.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising placing a label on the strap, the label having the identification indicia comprising a child's name written thereon to identify the bottle as belonging to the child.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 identifying the child to which the bottle belongs;    removing the free end of the strap from the collar; and    feeding the liquid in the bottle to the child.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 storing the bottle with the strap extending over the cap and the free end of the strap connected to the collar;    removing the bottle from storage and identifying the child to which the bottle belongs;    removing the free end of the strap from the collar; and    feeding the liquid in the bottle to the child.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising placing the bottle in a warming bath to warm the liquid prior to feeding the child.  
   
   
       15 . An infant bottle assembly comprising: 
 a bottle having a neck portion;    a removable cap;    a nipple supported by the cap; and    an identification device comprising a collar adapted to be placed around the neck portion and a flexible strap having first and second end portions, the strap being of sufficient length to extend over the nipple and the allow the first and second portions to be connected to the collar at generally diametrically opposite locations on the collar, and the strap having identification indicia identifying the bottle as belonging to a child.    
   
   
       16 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the collar and the strap comprise a unitary construction with the first end portion of the strap being integral with the collar.  
   
   
       17 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second end portions of the strap are configured to connected to and removable from the collar.  
   
   
       18 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the identification indicia comprises the child's name molded in the strap.  
   
   
       19 . The assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the identification device further comprises means for connecting and disconnecting the second end portion from the collar.  
   
   
       20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein said means comprises a projection extending from the collar, and at least one aperture formed in the strap second end portion and sized to receive the projection such that when the strap is extended over the nipple, the second end portion can be held in place by inserting the projection through the aperture.